justcycling.myfastforum.org

berck · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject:

Ahh, those French. Always so kind. Wink

Bartali · Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 7730 Location: Hertfordshire

Oh good ... Col de Mente and Col de Portet d'Aspet are both open.

Ah ... which one shall I do?

Col de Portet d'Aspet - ride past the Castartelli monument and up 4.4km @ ave 10% gradient with the odd bit of 17% to stretch the old legs!

Aw nuts ... lets do Col de Mente as well ... Smile

Here's the monument at the foot of the Portet d'Aspet - god rest his soul!

The heavens opened just as I got back down the Portet d'Aspet. I was lucky because i wouldn't want to descend down that in the rain - steep and a crap road surface. Gravel everywhere. Anyhow, it was nice to climb the Mente in the rain - nice and cool. Lovely climb. Best yet - a bit like the alps with an even gradient and lots of hairpins. half way up the rain stopped and it got very spooky as the water started evaporating from the road and valley ...

last km · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:34 pm Post subject:

Stop it right now Bartali, I am so envious Cool

sheeponabike · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 3701 Location: France

Bartali - what size small chainring and cassette are you using?

Watch out lad - they've forcast snow up there this week-end!
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This old world keeps spinnin' round, it's a wonder tall trees ain't layin' down

Bartali · Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 7730 Location: Hertfordshire

I'm riding a compact chainset so its 34 up front and 26 at the back. Snow above 1800m they say Sad

looks pretty grim at the moment and its my last day today. I could only get a three day pass Sad

paperman · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1295 Location: Ireland

Ok I've never looked into a holiday spent on some of the big climbs from our fav races but whats this pass thing???? Don't tell me you have to pay to cycle up a hill in France. Shocked

I guess its popular so they decide to screw tourists for every cent and you have to get in line to pay for soemthing which should be free Evil or Very Mad

Nice pics by the way. Smile

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It could be worse!!!

Bartali · Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 7730 Location: Hertfordshire

The pass is from my cat sitter! She will only let me out to play for three days - any longer and my boys go hungry!!

You should try this place I'm at Paperman. I'd come again.

http://www.pyractif.com/news/roadlibertynew.html

Bartali · Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 7730 Location: Hertfordshire

Cold and wet today ... yuk:(

Went up Port de Bales which is okay for a HC climb. Its long, about 19km, but many of the early KM are quite shallow. Back home to Blighty in the morning.

last km · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject:

Cold and wet today ...

No need for any aclimatisation on your return then Rolling Eyes

thunderthighs · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1481

bartali..thats when the major damage is done..at the begining of the climb..

remember, cycling is all about surprise and putting other riders in the red zone right away.. does look wet and mushy.. but i like that !!!ciao
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io sono bello....and talent to boot...to bad.

berck · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:13 pm Post subject:

Hey Bartali,

Are those Look KEO carbon pedals? They have a recall on those. Well, I know they do in the US. Models marked from January 04 to Dec 05. You can check the dates on the bottom of the pedal. The arrow points to the month and the year is next to the pedal. The Ti versions are fine.

link

BTW:
Great pictures. I notice the bovine team put an obstacle in the road on you. Wink

Bartali · Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 7730 Location: Hertfordshire

Many thanks Berck. Fortunately they are the Ti versions so I'm in the clear if I understand it correctly. Thanks anyway.

These french 'cows' will do anything to slow you down! To be honest, it was nice to have an excuse to stop and reach for my camera! Steak tonight ... so I have the last laugh! Wink

Sooty · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 4864 Location: Dear old Blighty

Great photos Barty - keep 'em coming. (My old mate "Barty" - we go back years you know....)
I wonder if I could have my life again - start with a new pair of legs? I never did do any of the cols - regret that - and I was a damn good climber too.

Good on you Bartali, have a great time!

paperman · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1295 Location: Ireland

Nice Bartali your cats...lol. Cheers for the link I was going to put up a thread about this I'd like to try one of those holidays. Looks great.!!

This web site is pretty good. You know it already I imagine.

http://www.climbbybike.com/index.asp
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It could be worse!!!

headwind · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject:

Awesome Bartali!!!!!!

berck · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:04 am Post subject:

Correct, the Ti versions are fine.

I do envy you! Smile

chardon · Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 1815 Location: Ile de France

Breathtaking, Bartali! Thanks for sharing it with us! Very Happy

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Nothing compares to you...

kellyrocheearly · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 2969 Location: Ireland/Boston

Fantastic photos
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Porridge makes you go faster

thunderthighs · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1481

thats a swiss cow.best milk producer..and candian bull best bull..all jokes aside..

ciao
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io sono bello....and talent to boot...to bad.

SlowRower · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:07 am Post subject:

Some years ago, the Good Lady and I walked up the Tourmalet for a stretch and then branched off-road (wet grit and gravel) up to the observatory (around 2800m). We got overtaken by a pair roadies on skinny tyres near the top. They must have climbed in excess of 1000m on the grit and gravel, which was impressive enough, but they turned straight round and headed down, noses on the crossbar. Mad!

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EPO is for wimps. Proper cyclists go faster on beer, curry and porridge.